Poor state of pier may sink Titanic plans

PEOPLE visiting Cobh next year to take part in the 100th anniversary commemoration of the Titanic’s demise will get a sinking feeling when they view the pier which many of those who died on the ill-fated liner left from.

The White Star Line pier is in a very dilapidated state and time is running out to have it fixed in time for the commemoration.

There was palpable shock among the 100-plus people attending a cruise seminar in at the Fota Spa Resort last Wednesday, when pictures were shown of the state of the pier and some of the town’s dock walls by Port of Cork commercial manager Captain Michael McCarthy.

The ownership of the Titanic pier itself is unclear, but what was obvious to the audience is that it needs to be upgraded before visitors arrive next April to commemorate the ship’s centenary.

Heinrick Verney of Cobh Tourism described it as “mindboggling” that nothing had been done to restore the historic pier as the clock was rapidly ticking down to the centenary celebration.

“It is in such a state of repair that if we got strong south-westerly winds it could be blown out into the harbour,” Mr Verney said.

He maintained the only way to find out who owned the structure was for Cork County Council to seek a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO).

“It could be restored for quite a modest sum,” Mr Verney added.

Eddie English of Sail Cobh maintained that it was essential to repair the town’s quay, since it had become an eyesore in the town.

County manager Martin Riordan confirmed yesterday that the local authority was in discussions with Fáilte Ireland to seek funding for upgrading the pier.

He also confirmed that the county council was looking at issuing a CPO for the structure.